Gary Meers, Ed.D.

About me

I am an Education Advisor/Consultant for MaxKnowledge. I write courses that assist in the professional development of career college instructors. These courses range in content from the introductory level to advanced instructional development. I started my teaching career as an instructional technology teacher on the high school level, completed graduate school and then moved into higher education. I spent many years in the area of teacher training at the University of Nebraska. While at the University of Nebraska I stared working with career college instructors to improve their instructional delivery skills. As a result of these experiences I have been a consultant to career colleges throughout the United States and a number of foreign countries.

Activity

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Lisa, It is amazing how important these short conversations are to students. Knowing you have listened to them and remember what they have told you is a powerful connector between you and your students. This connection will be of benefit to the students as the course progresses because they know you care about them and their success. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Joan, Good point. If you do not have passion for your field and enthusiasm for teaching about it then it is for sure your students won't be excited either. We need to bring our A game to class each time it meets. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Maria, What a great way to connection with your students. I am sure your stories and examples help to get your students engaged and focused on the course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructors as Motivators

Jodi, This is such an important connection to make. Earning their respect helps to give them a connection to you from which rapport is developed and motivation is enhanced. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Effective Motivation Techniques

LaNeisha, These are great ways to get students motivated. I use guest speakers frequently in my courses and the really impact my students. The students see that what I am teaching them is based upon what they will be using in the field. Seems they never thought of that before until recent graduates shared with them that in fact they are using the contents of the course in their workplaces. That is when the students got all excited about learning what they needed to in the course. Made me smile. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Valuing Student Opinions

LaShonda, President Johnson had a saying handing on the wall of the Oval Office that I think really reflects the role of listening. It said "When you are listening you are learning, when you are talking your are not." Listening is a great skill and students really respect an instructor that listens to them and considers their opinions. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Joan, This is the approach I follow and I get some great information as a result. These input sessions really help with instructional improvement. Thanks for bringing this strategy up in your comments. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Student Feedback

Robert, Student feedback is how we improve our instruction and increase our effectiveness. Without student input we would not know how we can adjust our instructional delivery and thus would continue to follow the same routine. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Instructor REFOCUS

Timothy, Readings like this are so important for the reasons you cite. As you say taking the "pulse" of the class and help you to redirect if needed and then move to the successful conclusion of another course. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Discussion Comment

Developing Student Rapport

Lisa, Earning the respect of your students is so important because with respect comes the opportunity to develop rapport. What a great feeling it is to have rapport with your students and know that you are helping them to move toward their career goals. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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